Iron Lake

Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size. Fishing and canoeing are its biggest draws, as the lake provides access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Ham Lake Fire passed through the campground in 2007, and visitors may be surprised at how the burned area has grown back up. Iron Lake provides many boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities, and walleye and northern pike fishing are usually good. Canoes, kayaks and small boats must be carried down to access the lake. When portaging or paddling out of this lake and into another, visitors should find out if they will be entering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — entry requires a permit (self-issued for day use) and visitors must follow wilderness regulations including group size. This campground is small and simple, with sites organized into one loop near the water. There are no electric hookups. Vault toilets, drinking water and a garbage canister are provided, and conveniences are available at area lodges and resorts. A campground host from the concessionaire visits every other day, and the facility is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and the concessionaire. Iron Lake is in a burn area, and visitors can see post-fire ecology including uncommon black-backed woodpeckers. Moose, bear, loons and other wildlife live in the area, and blueberries grow abundantly and can be picked in mid to late summer. The BWCAW is by far the most popular nearby attraction. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extend nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contain over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.